If you’ve spent any time watching This Week or catching the evening news recently, you might have felt that sudden twitch of uncertainty. It happens every time a major network face starts popping up on other platforms or releasing another massive book. You start wondering: is Jonathan Karl leaving ABC? It is a fair question. In the volatile world of modern media, where anchors jump ship for streaming deals or quiet retirements faster than you can change the channel, seeing a veteran like Karl branch out usually triggers those "departure" alarm bells.
But let's look at the actual reality on the ground.
As of early 2026, Jonathan Karl is firmly entrenched at ABC News. He isn't just a guest; he remains the Chief Washington Correspondent and the co-anchor of This Week with George Stephanopoulos. Honestly, the rumors of his exit are mostly just that—rumors sparked by his incredibly high profile outside of the daily news grind.
Why everyone thinks he is going somewhere
The confusion usually stems from how much the guy is doing lately. Most people see him on The View or Washington Week with The Atlantic and assume he’s transitioning. He’s been on a massive press tour for his latest book, Retribution: Donald Trump and the Campaign That Changed America, which dropped in late 2025. When a journalist writes four bestsellers in a row, the public assumes they’re ready to trade the 4:00 AM alarm for a full-time career as an author or a political pundit-at-large.
He’s basically the busiest guy in DC.
Between reporting on the latest White House maneuvers and breaking down the 2024 election fallout, he’s maintained a schedule that would break most people. But if you look at his history, this is just how he operates. He has been with ABC since 2003. That is over two decades. You don't just walk away from that kind of seniority and influence unless there is a massive shift in the network's direction or a personal desire to retire, neither of which seems to be the case right now.
The contract situation and network loyalty
Networks are notoriously tight-lipped about the specifics of talent contracts. However, ABC has shown zero signs of wanting to let go of their top Washington guy. In fact, Karl’s role has only expanded. He’s become the go-to voice for interpreting the "Trump era" and the subsequent political shifts we are seeing in 2026.
Think about it this way:
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- He’s survived four different presidencies.
- He’s handled over fifteen different press secretaries.
- He’s the primary backup and co-pilot for George Stephanopoulos.
Losing Karl would be a massive blow to ABC’s political credibility, especially during a time when "straight-down-the-middle" reporting is becoming a rare commodity. The network knows this. He knows this. It’s a symbiotic relationship that works.
What actually happens when people "leave"
Usually, when a big-name journalist is leaving, you see a specific pattern. Their airtime starts to dwindle. They get "contributing" titles instead of "chief" titles. Or, they stop showing up for the big breaking news moments. None of that is happening here. Just last month, Karl was leading the charge on ABC’s coverage of the administration's new national security strategies. He’s still the first person they go to when a crisis breaks in the West Wing.
If he were planning an exit, he wouldn't be this deeply integrated into the 2026 coverage cycle.
Is it possible he eventually moves into a more permanent "special correspondent" role? Sure. Many veterans do that to focus on long-form documentaries or more books. But "leaving" implies a clean break, and there is absolutely no evidence of that on the horizon.
The "Book Tour" effect
A lot of the "is Jonathan Karl leaving ABC" searches spike whenever he releases a book. It’s a classic case of visibility bias. When he’s on a dozen different podcasts and talk shows promoting Retribution, people see him in contexts that aren't the ABC news desk. They think he’s moved on.
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But if you listen to those interviews, he’s always introduced as "ABC News Chief Washington Correspondent." That title is his brand. It gives him the access he needs to write those very books. Without the backing of a major network like ABC, getting the "behind-the-scenes" scoops that make his books bestsellers would be infinitely harder.
What to watch for in 2026
If you're really worried about him departing, keep an eye on the Sunday morning lineup. As long as he is sitting across from George or leading the roundtable on This Week, his status is secure.
Also, watch for new projects within the Disney/ABC umbrella. Often, talent stays but changes their "primary" show. If Karl were to pivot, it would likely be into a more prominent role on Hulu or a dedicated ABC News Live streaming show, rather than a move to a rival like CNN or NBC. He’s an ABC lifer at this point.
Honestly, the biggest threat to his time at ABC isn't another network; it's the sheer exhaustion of covering the current political climate. But he’s proven time and again that he has the stamina for it.
Moving forward
If you want to keep tabs on his status without falling for the clickbait, the best thing you can do is follow the official ABC News press room or Karl's own social media. He's very active on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, usually posting from the back of a press plane or the North Lawn of the White House.
If he were leaving, that’s where the "end of an era" post would show up first. For now, you can expect to see him right where he’s been for twenty years: at the center of the action in Washington.
Key things to remember:
- Jonathan Karl remains the Chief Washington Correspondent for ABC.
- His frequent book tours often create the false impression that he is leaving the network.
- He is a central figure in the 2026 political coverage and shows no signs of slowing down.
- Official announcements regarding talent changes are always handled through ABC's corporate communications, not through rumors.
Check the This Week credits next Sunday. If his name is still there, everything is business as usual.